Grants for Lloydminster fuel retailers

Grants to retail fuel dealers will offset the difference between the total carbon levy and fuel tax in Alberta and the fuel tax in Saskatchewan.

The grant program will apply to gasoline, diesel and propane sold on the Alberta side of Lloydminster to consumers for vehicle use.

“We recognize the unique challenges of fuel dealers in the border community of Lloydminster. Alberta and Saskatchewan have historically aligned fuel taxes in Lloydminster to treat the community as a whole. In the past, Saskatchewan offset its charges for fuel sold on its side of the border, this simply continues that practice. Albertans will continue to benefit from an overall tax advantage, by paying $7.5 billion less in taxes than our neighbours to the east.”

Joe Ceci, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance

The grant program will begin April 1 and will cover eligible sales retroactive to Jan. 1, when Alberta’s carbon levy came into effect. The program will be reviewed annually and may be adjusted as provincial and federal carbon price changes are implemented.

In 2017, grants will cover the equivalent of 2.49 cents per litre of gasoline, 3.35 cents per litre of diesel and 3.48 cents per litre of propane. The program will cost an estimated $3 million to $5 million in 2017-18 and will be funded from carbon levy revenue.

Information for retailers to apply for the grant will be posted online closer to April 1.

Alberta households and businesses continue to benefit from the lowest overall taxes and carbon charges, including the carbon levy, compared to other provinces. With no provincial sales tax, no payroll tax and no health-care premiums, Albertans and Alberta businesses pay $7.5 billion less than they would under Saskatchewan’s tax system.